my engagement in conversation with issues and concerns related to my vocation as a seminary lecturer. Opinions expressed in this blog are strictly my personal views and do not represent the official position of the seminary

i don't think the verse is painting the ethiopians in a negative light.

the hebrew word is cush (so translated sometimes as cushite). it has the meaning of nubian or ethiopian, those who live in africa near egypt but closer to the equator. hence, the cushite has black skin because of the tan by the sun.

jeremiah 13:23 employs the rhetorical question who demands an obvious answer which in this case is 'no'. the question is also framed as a disputation. in vv. 20-27, God is disputing with his people (v. 21). the people hypotheticaly ask themselves the question why has all these things happened to them. the answer provided by God is the rhetorical question - can a cushite with black skin tanned by the sun 'turn/overturn' his skin? impossible will be the answer. this will answer the people's query - they have been so conditioned through the years that they will not change from being a rebellious people.hence, they wil received their just punishment.

using the cushite's well-known black skin is not sth degradatory. it is like using a well-known cliche. afterall- hitam manis is beautiful to some people!

About Me

I am a Christ-follower by calling, a Lecturer in New Testament Studies and Assistant Director of Postgraduate Studies at Seminari Theoloji Malaysia by vocation, and a lover of the New Testament by passion. I am also an ordained minister of the Evangelical Free Church of Malaysia.